Bangkok, Aug. 7 -- A routine regional cup semifinal in southern Thailand turned into a national tragedy this week after 24-year-old winger Sofwan Awae was struck and killed by lightning in front of teammates, opponents and horrified spectators.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, August 4, 2026, at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, close to the Thailand-Malaysia border. Awae was playing for local side SAMCOLTS against Abu x Nong Sirin in a semifinal of the Golok FA Cup, an amateur tournament that draws mixed Thai and Malaysian teams, when heavy rain swept in around 5:30 pm local time.

Video of the moment has since spread widely online. Footage shows a sudden bolt striking the pitch near a cluster of players, ...